Vending machine product distributor

ABSTRACT

A locked vending machine cabinet has both bag distributing conveyor units and package vending units electrically operated by any acceptable coin receiving device. The bag distributor and conveyor unit comprises a chain with a plurality of clamps each clamping a bag in place between a fixed jaw and a movable segment spring biased in place. Each clamp advances one dispensing increment each time when the chain is driven by an electric motor switched by the coin device. A tripping means on the machine opens the clamp by moving the jaw at the proper moment accomplished through timing of the electric motor switch and movement of the chain and the bag drops from the dispensing opening in the machine. After traveling past the tripping point and dispensing the bag the retainer returns in the opposite direction with the chain and may be reloaded. Dispensing of the bag is assured by means of a wiper arrangement which is a spring biased arcuate segment tripped into place in timed sequence to positively wipe the bag from the open jaw thereby preventing any chance of hanging. Packages of cookies or crackers in the same machine are dispensed from units (somewhat like cartridges from a clip) pushed forward by means of a dispensing pusher arm actuated by a timed motor drive responsive to the coin device and given positive motion by means of a constant tension spring.

Unite f Dasher States atent 1 1 Oct. 16, 1973 VENDING MACHINE PRODUCT DISTRIBUTOR [75] Inventor: Campbell K. Dasher, Marietta, Ga.

[73] Assignee: Campbell K. Dasher, J12, Marietta,

22 Filed: Oct. 14, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 189,300

[52] U.S. Cl 221/129, 221/80, 221/232 [51] Int. Cl. G07f 11/30 [58] Field of Search 221/84, 85, 86, 87,

Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Joseph J. Rolla Attorney-Patrick F. Henry [57] ABSTRACT A locked vending machine cabinet has both bag distributing conveyor units and package vending units electrically operated by any acceptable coin receiving device. The bag distributor and conveyor unit comprises a chain with a plurality of clamps each clamping a bag in place between a fixed jaw and a movable segment spring biased in place. Each clamp advances one dispensing increment each time when the chain is driven by an electric motor switched by the coin device. A tripping means on the machine opens the clamp by moving the jaw at the proper moment accomplished through timing of the electric motor switch and movement of the chain and the bag drops from the dispensing opening in the machine. After traveling past the tripping point and dispensing the bag the retainer returns in the opposite direction with the chain and may be reloaded. Dispensing of the bag is assured by means of a wiper arrangement which is a spring biased arcuate segment tripped into place in timed sequence to positively wipe the bag from the open jaw thereby preventing any chance of hanging. Packages of cookies or crackers in the same machine are dispensed from units (somewhat like cartridges from a clip) pushed forward by means of a dispensing pusher arm actuated by a timed motor drive responsive to the coin device and given positive motion by means of a constant tension spring.

13 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures waf i PATENTEDUCI 16 ms sum 1 or 4 a y W w Efl m V W a PAIENIEuum 16 ms 3.765.566

SHEET 2 0F 4 II Lm INVENTOR.

P I CAMPBflL Z..DAS//EK j l /7 BY 5 PATENTEUnm 16 ms 3;1ss.5ss

' sum 30? 4 INVENTOR.

CAM/ 55a K DA SHE I VENDING MACHINE PRODUCT DISTRIBUTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Article dispensing and vending machines especially bag holding and dispensing devices. Article conveyors, particularly conveyor chains with article carrying means at spaced locations thereon.

2. Description of the Prior Art With respect to the chain conveyor arrangement the above noted Dasher patent is considered representative prior art. That arrangement is very satisfactory and to the extent disclosed is carried forward in the present arrangement. Further against those extremely rare situations where a bag would hang, perhaps because it stayed in the machine so longand being plastic it became distorted and stuck to the jaw or the clamp, the present arrangement includes a particular positive tripping mechanism and wiper arm which reduces even more the chances of a bag not being dispensed. In addition, in the present disclosure by virtue of the respective construction both packages of cookies and crackers are combined in a unit in the same vending machine with conveyor chain units for bags. Many of the prior art devices for dispensing solid packages of cookies or crackers rely upon a gravity stack or similar arrangement and the principle of unsupporting the lowermost package long enough to allow it to drop by gravity. This involves many problems such as dispensing not more than one package and also holding the stack above long enough to drop the lowermost package. The mechanism for doing this can be quite costly and requires some amount of service attention. On the other hand the dispensing of packages of cookies and crackers by.

the present method of horizontal units includes the problem of maintaining proper pressure on the stack and dislodgement of the front package to fall by gravity without hanging up subsequent packages. At the same time this has to be done within the limitation of cost and expense as the mechanism cannot be so complex as to discourage vending machines. That problem of proper pressure and dispensing is solved to a large extent in the present arrangement by using a constant tension coilspring arrangement together with a positively operated arm arrangement for dislodging the front package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a vending machine cabinet having a front through which is visible certain merchandise both bags and packages of cookies or crackers there are conveyor chain units employing individual clamps at spaced locations on the chain each having a fixed jaw and movable clamping member thereon actuated by a tripping member and including in timed sequence therewith a positively operated wiper arm for dislodging the bag. Proper timing is achieved with the chain and the individually clamped bags by means of an electrical transmission motor switching unit arranged to be driven a preselected interval each time a bag is to be dispensed in response to an electrically operated coin receiving device through the use of an electrical motor-driven switching unit that operates one increment such as a revolution and stops thereafter within the space allowed after the tripping member and wiper arm actuate one bag and before any next successive dispensing is to be made. In the same vending machine cabinet, such as at the top, there is a side-by-side row of cracker or cookie dispensing units extending the depth of the machine and each in a sense being a cartridge disperser unit having a row of packages arranged horizontally (not stacked vertically one on the other) so that there is no package weight on the lowermost package and the uppermost package. A constant tension spring provides the push against the row of packages and a timed release arm moves in response to the electrical switching unit to move and release the front package for dispensmg.

An object of this invention is to provide a vending machine having both package dispensers and bag dispensers.

Another advantage of this invention is to provide in the conveyor chain bag dispensing unit a positive means of wiping or knocking the bag from the clamp.

An advantage in the package dispensing unit is that of constant tension and positive detachment.

Another feature of this invention is found in the mechanical arrangement of the wiper as relates to the chain and the timing thereof and the relatively simple and dependable way the wiping is accomplished without drastic modification of the mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the conveyor chain arrangement for conveying and wiping bags.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view taken along lines 2-2 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation view of the front portion of the conveyor chain unit shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial front elevation view of a vending machine cabinet showing both the package dispensers and the bag dispensers.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along lines 5-5 in FIG. 7. A

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along lines 66 in FIG. 8.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the package dispens ing unit shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 and 8, and with the dispensing arm just prior to dispensing of package and with part of the side broken away to show the spring.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 7 and after the dispensing arm is moved substantially full travel distance.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the motor driven timing unit for the conveyor dispenser shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of the wiper arm arrangement for the conveyor chain.

FIG. 11 is an elevation view of the switching arrangement for the motor transmission driven shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 with the switching unit in a different position.

As mentioned previously, the device has particular application to a conveyor chain assembly designated generally by the reference numeral 10 and may be used to hold and vend bags of potato chips, candies, or any other articles. A complete vending machine 11 shown in FIG. 4 comprises a plurality of such chain assemblies 10 each having a conveyor chain 12 having spaced, opposed link plates 14, 16 separated by pivot pins or rollers 18 and spaced by sleeves 20.

Chain 12 has thereon a plurality of spaced retainers designated generally by reference numeral 26 and comprising two basically separate parts the mounting or supporting means 28 and a movable gripping means 30 together providing a clamp means for a bag or other product. For the most part, the support means 28 is a small bracket of plate-like construction mostly in the same plane but with an upper attaching portion 34 curved along the upper portion and having a pair of openings in which are small mounting pins 36 attaching the support means 28 to one of the links of the conveyor chain 12. Support means 28 has a perpendicular projecting tab 40 which receives and anchors one end of the coil spring 42, also has another larger perpendicular projecting plate 44 which is a stationary jaw against which the upper portion of a typical potato chip bag 46 with a sealed top 48 is located. The movable gripping means 30 comprises an offset part which includes a curved jaw portion or bill 50 with serrated or toothed edge 52 thereon which engages the upper part 48 of bag 46 against the stationary jaw 44. The entire gripping means 30 is pivoted on a small pin 54 inserted through the gripping means 30 and through a leg portion 56 on the support means 28.

The gripping means 30 has an angled portion 58 near the upper end thereof with a projection 60 which is engaged by a stationary tripping member 62 mounted on the base of plate 63 adjacent to the travel of chain 12. As seen in FIG. 1, as the upper projection 60 slides beneath the tripping member 62, the entire member 30 pivots about pivot 54 which takes place rapidly and quickly and results in only a slight separation of the serrated or toothed edge 52 from fixed jaw 44 but sufficient to totally release the upper portion of the bag 46. This action extends the coil spring 42, which has the end opposite from the anchor end on plate 40, attached through a small opening 62 in the member 30. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, gripping means 30 is not a completely flat plate although it is bent from one. It has a curved portion about at reference numeral 68 which places the upper parts 58 well away from the conveyor chain 12, which makes room for the positioning of the stationary tripping member 62 so that it may be adjusted for only slight but quite positive tripping motion performed, easily and rapidly. It should be noted from the position of the device 26 from the right hand bag gripping condition shown in FIG. 1 to the left hand bag releasing condition shown in FIG. 10,that the serrated portion 52 of movable bill or jaw 50 only travels a very slight distance upwardly to disengage the serrated portion 52 from the upper part 48 of bag 46 altogether and to create the small gap or distance between the serrated edge 52 of the movable bill 50 and the face of the fixed jaw 44 that provides a quick positive release of the bag 46. The gripping means 30 does not pass any critical position mechanically which would require substantial movement in one direction or the other or applications of a great deal of force to open the jaws. The pressure of spring 42 is calculated in the closed position when there is a bag in places shown on the right hand side of FIG. 1. There is no appreciable pressure by spring 42 in this position because the weight of bag 46 on the upper portion 48 when between the fixed jaw 44 and the movable jaw 50 tends to pull the serrated or toothed portion 52 against the portion 48 of bag 46 to create more pressure between the fixed jaw 44 and the movable jaw 50 on the bag portion 48 thereby tending to hold the bag in place and to prevent it from slipping and falling. The serrated or toothed portion 52 will pivot closer to the face of jaw 44 than the normal position when the bag is in place as shown in the right hand portion of FIG. 1 if a pressure applied by the fixed tripping member 62 is applied to the upper portion of the finger member 58. This pressure can be applied by the friction from the weight of the bag 46 against one or more of the serrations or teeth 52 as shown in the enlarged view in FIG. 3. Furthermore, this pressure is only exerted at certain points in a limited area between the serrations 52 against the fixed jaws 44 and does not tend to cause the material of the portion 48 of bag 46 to stick to the face of either of the jaws 44 or 50 as in the case of a gripping means which would employ more surface engagement between flat plates. At the same time, even in this condition the disengagement is readily accomplished upon the tripping of the finger member 58 and in view of slight separation between the serration 52 and the face of plate 44.

Tripping member 62 is offset from plate 62 as shown in FIG. 1 and includes an end portion with an inclined surface 64 and declining portion 65, against which the portion 60 slides in releasing and returning, and reaching release position on the declining portion 65 as shown in FIG. 1. Chain 12 is driven on plate 63 by means of a drive sprocket 66 and a driven sprocket 68 each mounted respectively on a shaft 70, 71 journaled for rotation on the plate 63 which has a top cover 72 and a motor housing plate 73. The sprocket 66 is driven by the motor-transmission unit 74 which is of conventional construction and can be purchased on the open market from Electro Counter & Motor Company, 1301 East, Shumburg, Illinois, Unit 74 comprises an electric motor 76 driving a shaft 77 connected to shaft through the transmission 78 which includes an actuator 80 that protrudes from the transmission housing 81 and contacts the switch unit 82 mounted on the unit 74. Switch unit 82 includes switch arms 83, 84 with contacts 85 that operate to contact or not contact the contact 85 to the motor 76. According to the internal construction of the transmission 78 each revolution of the motor shaft 77 turns the sprocket 66 one increment of the chain 12 representing the delivery of one bag 46 and the actuator 80 is operated in this manner. The motor 76 receives electric power thru wires 86, 87 wired to switch 82 as shown in FIG. 9 and to a plug connector 79 and other wires 88, 89 from the plug connector 79 lead to switch 82 so that power thru the plug connector 79 is switched on in response to a coin deposited in the machine to turn sprocket 66 one incre-.

ment and power is terminated by actuation of actuator 80 after one movement of transmission 78.

BAG WIPER Shaft 71 has fixed thereon a rotary cam element 90 in the form of a gear having cam members 91 each with a slanted cam surface 92 which strikes and moves the bag wiper 93 which is in the form of an arcuate member 94 which is an arm having a lateral portion 95 and teeth 96. Member 94 is pivoted on a pin 97 on plate 63. The bent, offset lateral portion 95 is contacted by any of cam members 91, which are spaced on the element 90 and driven by chain 12 with sprocket 68 to syncronize with the delivery of a bag 46 released by contact of member 60 with the tripping member 62. Wire 86 is connected to the motor 76 and to a prong of plug connector 79. Wires 88 and 89 from plug connector 79 prongs lead to the switch arms 83, 84 respectively and the actuator 80 bends the arm 83 to break contact 85 with arm 84 and make contacts 85 with arm 83. There is a coil spring 98 between the top 72 and wiper member 93 and assisting in returns from dotted line point as shown in FIG. 1.

The vending machine 11 in FIG. 4 comprises a cabinet 100 in three-dimensional formation of common and conventional construction usually made from metal with a glass door 102 on the front that is locked and a door on the rear which is also locked for purposes of loading and collection of coins. The cabinet structure 100 per se is nothing new nor is the coin mechanism and control mechanism as any acceptable cabinet construction and coin mechanism will serve the purpose. However, across the interior of cabinet 100 in the present invention there is a frame 106 supporting a plurality of package dispensing units designated generally by reference number 108 each comprising a metal frame which is in a sense a cartridge or magazine having a bottom frame member 110, a front open rectangular frame 112 with glass 1114 therein behind which there is a product dispensing opening 116 through which a package 118 will drop to the dispensing mouth of the machine. The sides 119 of the magazine 108 are made from metal and the bottom is provided with a track 120 on which is mounted a trolley 122 on small roller wheels 124 rolling along the track 120 and propelled by means of a wound spring arrangement 125 comprising a coiled flat leaf spring 126 of constant tension. Such springs are sold by Amtek-Hunter Spring Company, 1 Spring Avenue, Hatfield, Pa., under the name of NE- GATORS. The front end of the spring is fastened by a screw 130 and when the spring 126 is unwound to the rearward position by moving the trolley 120 as seen in FIG. 7 on the magazine 108 the spring 126 tends to return to its coiled position about the center roller 132 thereby moving trolley 120 forward each time a package 114 is dispensed. A pusher 134 mounted on the trolley 122 pushes against the packages 118 forcing them towards the from glass 114 and dispensing opening 116. When the arm 138, which is pivoted about pivot on plate 119, is moved by means of a drive member 142 through an articulated joint comprising a slot 144 in arm 138 and a drive pin 145 therein. The front end at 148 of arm 138 is moved downwardly each time pin 145 travels on slot 144 against a package 118 which drops from themachine. The drive member 142 is rotatably driven one rotation each time from a motor unit 149 actuated by an electrical switch 50in response to the insertion of a coin. Rotation of drive member 142 one complete revolution causes the drive member to go down, push the package 118 out and then return to ready position again above the next package 118. The drive member 142 is driven one revolution each time by means of the motor transmission unit 150 the same one as unit 76 mentioned previously an the actuator a plunger 152 which operates the switching of the motor.

Units 108 and 10 plug into receptacles (not shown) in the cabinet and may be removed therefrom for loading or for servicing which could be the replacement of one entire unit.

While I have shown and described a particular embodiment of my invention this is by way of illustration only, since there are alterations, changes, deviations, 6

eliminations, revisions, departures, omissions, additions and substitutions may be made in the embodiment shown and a different use may be employed without departing from the scope of my invention defined by interpretation of the appended claims.

and said plug being wired to said switch and said switch being wired to said motor to operate same in response to the deposit of a coin by a customer only one increment to dispense one package and return to a condition ready to dispense another package.

What is claimed:

1. In a vending machine:

a. a cabinet having an access closure thereon for loading and servicing the machine with bags or packages of cookies and the like,

b. support means within said cabinet for both package conveyor units and for bag conveyor units,

c. package and bag conveyor units removably mounted on said support means and there being electrical connection means on said cabinet to which said package and bag units are detachably connected,

d. said package conveyor units each being an elongated relatively narrow arrangement on which is defined a passage in which the packages are stored and moved for dispensing, and said bag conveyor units each being an elongated, relatively narrow unit having a plurality of bag clamps mounted in spaced relation on a continuous member running on said unit, both said package and bag units being mounted for removal in the same cabinet and in side-by-side relationship extending in a direction of the depth of the cabinet and in rows from top to bottom of the cabinet.

2. The vending machine in claim 1:

e. said package conveyor units having a spring driven pusher means mounted thereon for pushing packages toward the front thereof to replace the pack,- age which has been dispensed from a front opening in said unit,

f. a dispensing member mounted at the front of said package conveyor unit and actuated in response to the operation of the vending machine by a customer to positively push a package from thefront dispensing opening,

g. an electric motor on said package conveyor unit and drive means driven by said electric motor to operate said dispensing member.

3. The vending machine claimed in claim 1 wherein said bag conveyor units each comprises an endless chain having bag clamps in spaced relation on one side thereof, each of said bag clamps including a movable jaw actuated by a tripping member mounted on said unit.

4. The vending machine claimed in claim 1 wherein:

e. said package conveyor units having a spring driven pusher means mounted thereon for pushing packages toward the front thereof to replace the package which has been dispensed from a front opening in said unit,

f. a dispensing member mounted at the front of said package conveyor unit and actuated in response to the operation of the vending machine by a customer to positively push a package from the front dispensing opening,

g. an electric motor on said package conveyor unit and drive means driven by said electric motor to operate said dispensing member,

h. said bag conveyor units each comprises an endless chain having bag clamps in spaced relation on one side thereof, each of said bag clamps including a movable jaw actuated by a tripping member mounted on said unit.

5. The vending machine claimed in claim 2 wherein:

h. said pusher member is mounted on a wheeled trolley traveling along the bottom of said unit within the passage in which the packages are stored,

i. a constant tension spring wound on a reel mounted on said trolley and having the external end thereof attached to the front of said package conveyor unit so that said spring is unwound as said trolley is moved to the rear to load said unit with packages.

6. The vending machine claimed in claim 5 wherein:

j. said dispenser member includes a slidable member mounted on the front of said unit for sliding motion upwardly and downwardly,

k. a drive arm mounted on said unit and having one end connected to said block to drive same, the other end of said drive arm being connected to a rotary member operated by said electric motor.

7. The device claimed in claim 6 wherein:

1. said drive arm has a slot in the end thereof, there being a small member mounted on said rotary member and confined for motion in said slot to oscillate said arm in response to the rotary motion.

8. The vending machine claimed in claim 3, wherein:

h. said continuous conveyor chain being driven by a drive sprocket and there being a driven sprocket supporting the front end thereof,

. an actuating means mounted for rotation with said front sprocket and having an actuating portion mounted thereon,

j. a bag wiping member mounted for movement on said unit and being syncronized to engage said bag while said jaw is in open position,

k. said wiping member being mounted for motion on said unit in response to actuation by said portion of said acutating member.

9. The device claimed in claim 8, wherein:

1. there is a tripping member on said unit for engaging said movable jaw and tripping same to release said bag, said tripping member having an inclined surface in one direction against which said jaw moves to gradually open same and another inclined surface extending angularly from said first inclined surface and which engages said jaw to positively open same at the proper time in syncronization with said wiping member and when said bag is at the proper position to be dropped from said machine.

10. The device in claim 9 wherein:

m. there being a combined motor transmission mounted on said unit and a plunger member operated by said transmission in syncronization with the movement of said chain one increment to dispense a bag,

n. a switch means on said unit having a switch member actuated by said plunger member to operate the electric motor in response to the operation of said machine by a customer and said plunger member also operating upon the completion of one dispensing movement to break said circuit to stop said conveyor chain from motion.

11. The device claimed in claim 10 wherein said switch includes a pair of switch contact arms having contacts thereon operated by said switch member in response to the actuation of said plunger,

and there being an electrical plug on said unit which can be plugged in and removed from said cabinet and said plug being wired to said switch.

12. The vending machine claimed in claim 7,

wherein:

there is a motor transmission mounted on the rear of said package conveyor unit to drive said arm,

said motor transmission unit having a plunger member operated thereon in response to the movement of said transmission, said plunger member being syncronized with the movement of said arm to make and break a circuit,

a switch on said unit electrically wired to said motor of said motor transmission unit, said switch having a switch member actuated by said plunger to make and break a circuit.

13. The device claimed in claim 12, wherein:

said switch includes a pair of switch contact arms with contacts thereon,

there being an electrical current on said unit which plugs into an electrical source inside said cabinet,

and said plug being wired to said switch and said switch being wired to said motor to operate same in response to the deposit of a coin by a customer only one increment to dispense one package and return to a condition ready to dispense another package. 

1. In a vending machine: a. a cabinet having an access closure thereon for loading and servicing the machine with bags or packages of cookies and the like, b. support means within said cabinet for both package conveyor units and for bag conveyor units, c. package and bag conveyor units removably mounted on said support means and there being electrical connection means on said cabinet to which said package and bag units are detachably connected, d. said package conveyor units each being an elongated relatively narrow arrangement on which is defined a passage in which the packages are stored and moved for dispensing, and said bag conveyor units each being an elongated, relatively narrow unit having a plurality of bag clamps mounted in spaced relation on a conTinuous member running on said unit, both said package and bag units being mounted for removal in the same cabinet and in side-by-side relationship extending in a direction of the depth of the cabinet and in rows from top to bottom of the cabinet.
 2. The vending machine in claim 1: e. said package conveyor units having a spring driven pusher means mounted thereon for pushing packages toward the front thereof to replace the package which has been dispensed from a front opening in said unit, f. a dispensing member mounted at the front of said package conveyor unit and actuated in response to the operation of the vending machine by a customer to positively push a package from the front dispensing opening, g. an electric motor on said package conveyor unit and drive means driven by said electric motor to operate said dispensing member.
 3. The vending machine claimed in claim 1 wherein said bag conveyor units each comprises an endless chain having bag clamps in spaced relation on one side thereof, each of said bag clamps including a movable jaw actuated by a tripping member mounted on said unit.
 4. The vending machine claimed in claim 1 wherein: e. said package conveyor units having a spring driven pusher means mounted thereon for pushing packages toward the front thereof to replace the package which has been dispensed from a front opening in said unit, f. a dispensing member mounted at the front of said package conveyor unit and actuated in response to the operation of the vending machine by a customer to positively push a package from the front dispensing opening, g. an electric motor on said package conveyor unit and drive means driven by said electric motor to operate said dispensing member, h. said bag conveyor units each comprises an endless chain having bag clamps in spaced relation on one side thereof, each of said bag clamps including a movable jaw actuated by a tripping member mounted on said unit.
 5. The vending machine claimed in claim 2 wherein: h. said pusher member is mounted on a wheeled trolley traveling along the bottom of said unit within the passage in which the packages are stored, i. a constant tension spring wound on a reel mounted on said trolley and having the external end thereof attached to the front of said package conveyor unit so that said spring is unwound as said trolley is moved to the rear to load said unit with packages.
 6. The vending machine claimed in claim 5 wherein: j. said dispenser member includes a slidable member mounted on the front of said unit for sliding motion upwardly and downwardly, k. a drive arm mounted on said unit and having one end connected to said block to drive same, the other end of said drive arm being connected to a rotary member operated by said electric motor.
 7. The device claimed in claim 6 wherein:
 8. The vending machine claimed in claim 3, wherein: h. said continuous conveyor chain being driven by a drive sprocket and there being a driven sprocket supporting the front end thereof, i. an actuating means mounted for rotation with said front sprocket and having an actuating portion mounted thereon, j. a bag wiping member mounted for movement on said unit and being syncronized to engage said bag while said jaw is in open position, k. said wiping member being mounted for motion on said unit in response to actuation by said portion of said acutating member.
 9. The device claimed in claim 8, wherein: l. there is a tripping member on said unit for engaging said movable jaw and tripping same to release said bag, said tripping member having an inclined surface in one direction against which said jaw moves to gradually open same and another inclined surface extending angularly from said first inclined surface and which enGages said jaw to positively open same at the proper time in syncronization with said wiping member and when said bag is at the proper position to be dropped from said machine.
 10. The device in claim 9 wherein: m. there being a combined motor transmission mounted on said unit and a plunger member operated by said transmission in syncronization with the movement of said chain one increment to dispense a bag, n. a switch means on said unit having a switch member actuated by said plunger member to operate the electric motor in response to the operation of said machine by a customer and said plunger member also operating upon the completion of one dispensing movement to break said circuit to stop said conveyor chain from motion.
 11. The device claimed in claim 10 wherein said switch includes a pair of switch contact arms having contacts thereon operated by said switch member in response to the actuation of said plunger, and there being an electrical plug on said unit which can be plugged in and removed from said cabinet and said plug being wired to said switch.
 12. The vending machine claimed in claim 7, wherein: there is a motor transmission mounted on the rear of said package conveyor unit to drive said arm, said motor transmission unit having a plunger member operated thereon in response to the movement of said transmission, said plunger member being syncronized with the movement of said arm to make and break a circuit, a switch on said unit electrically wired to said motor of said motor transmission unit, said switch having a switch member actuated by said plunger to make and break a circuit.
 13. The device claimed in claim 12, wherein: said switch includes a pair of switch contact arms with contacts thereon, there being an electrical current on said unit which plugs into an electrical source inside said cabinet, and said plug being wired to said switch and said switch being wired to said motor to operate same in response to the deposit of a coin by a customer only one increment to dispense one package and return to a condition ready to dispense another package. 